Latest News

Recent News

Lavarnway will take over as the Braves' backup catcher with Christian Bethancourt heading to the minors in a corresponding move. Lavarnway, 27, is a .192/.246/.300 career hitter in 107 major league games. Jun 15 - 11:57 AM

Braves signed catcher Ryan Lavarnway to a minor league contract.

Jose Yepez landed on the DL in Triple-A, so the Braves needed an extra catcher around. Lavarnway was let go by the Orioles earlier this week. May 30 - 4:06 PM

He was designated for assignment earlier in the week to make room on the active roster for Steve Clevenger. With so many teams around the league starved for depth behind the plate, he should be able to find a suitable opportunity elsewhere. May 29 - 7:20 PM

Orioles designated C/1B Ryan Lavarnway for assignment.

The move clears a spot for Steve Clevenger on the active roster. Lavarnway gets the boot after going just 3-for-28 (.107) over 10 games. May 26 - 2:45 PM

Depth Charts

Simmons was injured on Saturday when he jammed the thumb on a play in left field. It looks like he'll avoid the disabled list for now, as the Braves are hopeful he'll only miss a few games. Daniel Castro is filling in at shortstop Sunday.

Dian Toscano has begun working out at the Braves' spring training complex.

Toscano, 26, signed a four-year, $6 million free-agent contract with the Braves in December, but the paperwork has not yet cleared. The Cuban defector will be assigned to a minor league affiliate once that happens. Toscano profiles as a fourth outfielder.

Mike Minor underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Minor will wind up missing the entire 2015 season, though he is expected to be ready for spring training in 2016. The left-hander was limited to 145 1/3 innings last year due to shoulder issues and registered a 4.77 ERA when healthy. He'll be a non-tender candidate this winter after winning $5.6 million via arbitration in February.

Braves placed RHP Daniel Winkler on the 60-day disabled list with a right elbow injury.

Winkler was plucked in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter even though he had Tommy John surgery last June. The Braves will stash him on the DL and let him rehab in the minors, meaning they won't have to add him to the roster until August or September.

Withrow underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last June and probably won't become an option for the Braves' bullpen until after the All-Star break. The 26-year-old right-hander had posted a promising 2.73 ERA, 1.089 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts in 56 career major league innings before tearing his right ulnar collateral ligament. He could be a nice find for Atlanta if he makes a full recovery.

Rodriguez has been limited to 10 1/3 innings of relief this season due to left elbow issues, but he resumed throwing on Wednesday and could make his Braves debut at some point in September. The 24-year-old has flashed the stuff of a top left-handed specialist.